Japan To Mark 3rd Anniversary of Great East Japan Earthquake

The Asahi Shimbun

Anti-nuclear protesters wearing radiation protection gears rally in front of the Diet building on March 9, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan. On March 11 Japan commemorates the third anniversary of the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami.

Anti-nuclear protesters wearing radiation protection gears rally in front of the Diet building on March 9, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan. On March 11 Japan commemorates the third anniversary of the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami.

Grand Sumo Spring Tournament - Day 1

The Asahi Shimbun

Mongolian yokozuna Harumafuji (L), whose real name is Altangadasyn Khuchitbaatar throws Toyonoshima to win during day one of the Grand Sumo Spring Tournament at Body Maker Colosseum on March 9, 2014 in Osaka, Japan.

Mongolian yokozuna Harumafuji (L), whose real name is Altangadasyn Khuchitbaatar throws Toyonoshima to win during day one of the Grand Sumo Spring Tournament at Body Maker Colosseum on March 9, 2014 in Osaka, Japan.

Tensions Grow In Crimea As Diplomatic Talks Continue

The Asahi Shimbun

A woman walks past the Crimean Parliament building where cossacks stand guard on March 7, 2014 in Simferopol, Ukraine. Russian Cossacks, some heavily armed, have taken up guard duties at road checkpoints, border crossings and other key facilities that were previously guarded by local, pro-Russian militants across Crimea in recent days. The Crimean Parliament voted yesterday to hold a referendum on March 16 to determine whether Crimea shall secede from Ukraine and join Russia.

A woman walks past the Crimean Parliament building where cossacks stand guard on March 7, 2014 in Simferopol, Ukraine. Russian Cossacks, some heavily armed, have taken up guard duties at road checkpoints, border crossings and other key facilities that were previously guarded by local, pro-Russian militants across Crimea in recent days. The Crimean Parliament voted yesterday to hold a referendum on March 16 to determine whether Crimea shall secede from Ukraine and join Russia.

Honda To Launch Mini Bike 'Monkey' Kumamon Version

The Asahi Shimbun

Kumamon, official mascot of Kumamoto prefecture, poses with Honda Motor Co's mini bike 'Monkey Kumamon version' or 'Kumamonkey' during its launching at Kumamoto Prefecture headquarters on March 7, 2014 in Kumamoto, Japan. The mascot has been so popular and Bank of Japan Kumamoto branch estimated the economic effect of the mascot as 120 Billion Japanese yen in the past two years.

Kumamon, official mascot of Kumamoto prefecture, poses with Honda Motor Co's mini bike 'Monkey Kumamon version' or 'Kumamonkey' during its launching at Kumamoto Prefecture headquarters on March 7, 2014 in Kumamoto, Japan. The mascot has been so popular and Bank of Japan Kumamoto branch estimated the economic effect of the mascot as 120 Billion Japanese yen in the past two years.

Composer Mamoru Samuragochi bows for apology during the news conference at Tokyo Grand Hotel on March 7, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan. Samuragochi, formerly known as a 'Beethoven of Japan,' has admitted that he was not deaf and was hiring another man to write his most popular works.

Composer Mamoru Samuragochi bows for apology during the news conference at Tokyo Grand Hotel on March 7, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan. Samuragochi, formerly known as a 'Beethoven of Japan,' has admitted that he was not deaf and was hiring another man to write his most popular works.

Organs Model Produced By 3D Printer Used In Medical Operation

The Asahi Shimbun

Surgeons refer to an organ model made by 3-D printer during an operation at Nagoya University Hospital on March 4, 2014 in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan. The three dimentional model, made from actual patients' images of computed tomographic scan, help simulating how to proceed operations.

Surgeons refer to an organ model made by 3-D printer during an operation at Nagoya University Hospital on March 4, 2014 in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan. The three dimentional model, made from actual patients' images of computed tomographic scan, help simulating how to proceed operations.

China's National People's Congress - Preview

The Asahi Shimbun

A journalist raises her hand with heart-shape memopad to draw attention during a press conference ahead of the National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People on March 4, 2014 in Beijing, China.

A journalist raises her hand with heart-shape memopad to draw attention during a press conference ahead of the National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People on March 4, 2014 in Beijing, China.

Ukrainians In Japan Protest Against Russia

The Asahi Shimbun

An Ukrainian in Japan holds a photomontage with Putin and Hitler with a message 'Get out from Ukraine' as part of protest demanding the withdrawal of the Russian military from Crimea outside the Russian Embassy on March 4, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan. As the Ukrainian crisis escalates, thousands of Russian Troops have begun to blockade a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea.

An Ukrainian in Japan holds a photomontage with Putin and Hitler with a message 'Get out from Ukraine' as part of protest demanding the withdrawal of the Russian military from Crimea outside the Russian Embassy on March 4, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan. As the Ukrainian crisis escalates, thousands of Russian Troops have begun to blockade a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea.

Empress Michiko Visits Exhibition of Works of Mentally Deficient Children

The Asahi Shimbun

Empress Michiko looks into a kaleidoscope during the exhibition of the Asahide Specialized School, which is for mentally deficient children, at Mitsukoshi Department Store on March 3, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan.

Empress Michiko looks into a kaleidoscope during the exhibition of the Asahide Specialized School, which is for mentally deficient children, at Mitsukoshi Department Store on March 3, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan.

Japan To Mark 3rd Anniversary of Great East Japan Earthquake

The Asahi Shimbun

In this aerial image, anti-nuclear protesters gather at Hibiya Yagai Ongakudo Hall before marching on to the Diet building on March 9, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan. On March 11 Japan commemorates the third anniversary of the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami.

In this aerial image, anti-nuclear protesters gather at Hibiya Yagai Ongakudo Hall before marching on to the Diet building on March 9, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan. On March 11 Japan commemorates the third anniversary of the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami.

Japan To Mark 3rd Anniversary of Great East Japan Earthquake

The Asahi Shimbun

Family members of the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent tsunami from Rikuzentakata anad Ofunato fly the 1,896 trains of kites, equivalent to the number of the victims, on March 9, 2014 in Rikuzentakata, Iwate, Japan. On March 11 Japan commemorates the third anniversary of the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami.

Family members of the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent tsunami from Rikuzentakata anad Ofunato fly the 1,896 trains of kites, equivalent to the number of the victims, on March 9, 2014 in Rikuzentakata, Iwate, Japan. On March 11 Japan commemorates the third anniversary of the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami.

Japan To Mark 3rd Anniversary of Great East Japan Earthquake

The Asahi Shimbun

Residents of Ando area observe a minute of silence toward the Pacific Ocean for the victims of the tsunami during a memorial ceremony on March 9, 2014 in Otsuchi, Iwate, Japan. On March 11 Japan commemorates the third anniversary of the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami.

Residents of Ando area observe a minute of silence toward the Pacific Ocean for the victims of the tsunami during a memorial ceremony on March 9, 2014 in Otsuchi, Iwate, Japan. On March 11 Japan commemorates the third anniversary of the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami.